Karnataka to publish drug procurement information online for govt health facilities
Bengaluru: In a significant step towards enhancing transparency and improving public healthcare delivery, the Karnataka State Medical Services Corporation Limited (KSMCL) will soon publish all drug procurement information online. The initiative aims to ensure both the quality and consistent availability of essential medicines at government hospitals and public health centres across the state.
The decision comes after a meeting between KSMCL officials and representatives of Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana-Karnataka (SAA-K), a grassroots campaign advocating for universal healthcare, as well as members of the Drug Action Forum, as reported by Deccan Herald on Tuesday.
A letter was addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and KSMCL Managing Director Kanagavalli M, urging them to make procurement data publicly accessible and ensure consistent supply of medicines and stock maintenance of regularly needed medicines.
"We have called for tenders to supply drugs. We will ensure that there is transparency in the process and that consistency is maintained. We have e-aushadha and e-upakarana for health centres to place orders for drugs," DH quoted Rao as saying.
Representatives from SAA-K pointed out persistent issues in the supply chain, especially affecting economically disadvantaged patients. They mentioned that poor people were being refused medicines as there was no stock in the department.
"The software can be put to better use here to calculate stocks and to ensure that there transparency in the system," DH quoted Dr Akshay, a representative of SAA-K, as saying.
He stated that if a doctor prescribes medicines for multiple months, those medicines must be available each month. “If it is available one month and not the following month, people are forced to buy them from private pharmacies,” Akshay added.
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Pakistan face must-win test against winless Namibia to seal Super 8s berth
Colombo (PTI): With their backs against the wall, former champions Pakistan will rely on their fragile batting to come good after the jolt against India and seal a Super 8s spot when they face struggling Namibia, in their final league fixture, here on Wednesday.
In Group A, title favourites India have already sealed their Super 8s berth after their handsome 61-run win over Pakistan the other day.
The second spot is now up for grabs, with the United States having their nose ahead of Pakistan.
Both teams have four points each but Pakistan are behind on Net Run Rate -- Pakistan have a negative NRR of -0.403, while the USA are comfortably placed at 0.788.
Pakistan's equation is simple -- win against the winless Namibia and make the cut as any slip-up could leave them relying on other permutation and combinations.
Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan's campaign has suddenly entered a tense phase after what was meant to be a straightforward progression turned into a battle for survival following the defeat to India.
The spotlight will firmly be on their fragile batting -- including stalwart Babar Azam, openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub and their skipper Agha -- which was exposed in their defeat to India in Colombo.
Former Azam has been under pressure, especially after his seven-ball five against India, with calls for his exclusion growing louder.
After being reduced to 13 for 3 by India's pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, Pakistan's middle order offered no resistance -- worrying sign even against a side like Namibia.
Openers Sahibzada and Ayub, along with the middle order, will also need to show greater application.
Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi also struggled, claiming just one wicket while conceding over 31 runs in his two overs.
The only bright spot was Ayub, who had India's top order in a spot of bother with his three-wicket haul.
Pakistan's key worry is Afridi's inconsistency; his struggle with rhythm and control was glaring when he leaked 15 runs in the crucial final over, handing India the late momentum.
Against Namibia, Afridi must strike early as removing key batters in the first six overs will let Pakistan dictate the match.
Pakistan's powerplay frailties also remain a worry -- they managed barely 40 runs while losing four wickets in the last game.
Frequent middle-order shuffles have created a muddle, putting late-order acceleration in doubt.
Namibia, though winless in three matches so far, have shown flashes of discipline and tactical awareness.
The smart tactics of their skipper Gerhard Erasmus paid dividends against India when the experienced offspinner cleverly released the ball halfway through his run-up and delivered from well behind the stumps to fox Tilak Varma during his splendid 4/20 spell.
He claimed the prized wickets of Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, and his battle against Pakistan's struggling batters could be a key match-up.
Namibia, often thriving in the underdog role, will look to bow out with pride. If they can drag Pakistan into a low-scoring contest, nerves could once again come into play in what has become a crucial fixture for the 2009 champions.
Left-arm pacer JJ Smuts is also a constant thorn for batsmen, Namibia have the firepower to pull off an upset.
Opening batter Louren Steenkamp has delivered two encouraging knocks, including a half-century, in the previous games, while Jan Nicolaas Frylinck and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton have added much-needed stability to Namibia's top order.
Teams (from):
Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Jan Balt, Jack Brassell, Alexander Busing-Volschenk, Jan Frylinck, Zane Green (wk), Max Heingo, Malan Kruger, Dylan Leicher, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, JJ Smit, Louren Steenkamp, Ruben Trumpelmann.
Pakistan: Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Match starts 3:00 p.m.
